We conclude Gilbert Cromie’s excellent article on the origins of the RUC pipe band, now the Police Service of Northern Ireland Pipes & Drums. Read Part 1 here.. Newly promoted, success in Grade 2 for the RUC was not easily achieved. The main challengers were the re-formed McDonald Memorial and the McNeillstown, Syerla and Dromara bands. But the RUC did manage wins at the Ulster, County Antrim and County Fermanagh…

The origins of the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary come from a meeting held at Sprucefield RUC Depot in 1970 when a number of officers who were members of civilian bands discussed the possibility of starting a pipe band in the force. What surprised these men was the lack of interest for such an idea amongst the ‘top brass’, however they continued and soon they had enough…

Firstly a very Happy New Year to all the Piping Press readers and all pipers, drummers, drum majors and administrators everywhere. 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Pipe Band League (then affiliated to the North of Ireland Bands Association) becoming the first N.I. Branch of the Scottish Pipe Band Association. This affiliation was the brainchild of pipe band pioneers such as Eddie McVeigh (pictured above) Tom Hart, William…

I was interested to read the extracts from the May 1936 issue of the Piping & Dancing’ magazine which Piping Press featured recently and in particular the item relating to the ‘Ulster Notes’. The North of Ireland Bands Association formed in 1907 exists to the present day. In its heyday in the 1940s / 50s it had a membership of 250 bands. Pipe bands joined it in 1911 and remained in membership…

The 69th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch took place last Saturday, 30th November 2019, in the Trinity Methodist Halls, Lisburn. RSPBANI Branch Chairman Ray Hall welcomed the band representatives and extended a special welcome to RSPBA Chief Executive Ian Embelton and to Seamus Russell who was representing the Irish Pipe Band Association. Presentations were made to three member bands who are celebrating their centenaries,…